Familiar faces will be missing at Chez Hope's trivia event

Chez Hope Family Violence Crisis Center is organizing the 13th annual Trivia Night event for the first time without its former executive director, Sami Riley.

This year’s event will be Saturday at the Patterson Civic Center. The doors open at 5 p.m. and trivia begins at 6 p.m.

Riley served as the center’s executive director from 2003 until her death in February 2015. She died of lung cancer.

Chez Hope is located in Franklin. The center provides a 24-hour crisis line, 24-hour emergency shelter, alternative shelter, crisis intervention, legal advocacy, assistance with obtaining restraining orders, support groups, options counseling and children’s programs.

“You know, it’s kind of bittersweet,” Chez Hope Outreach Advocate Tammy Rogers said. “But we’re still going to try to make this the best one we’ve ever had. We’re still going to have a good time.”

This year’s trivia theme is “Red, White, and Blue.”

Seventeen teams are signed up for trivia night. Approximately eight more teams have yet to confirm participation.

This is the largest number of teams ever to participate in the organization’s trivia night, Rogers said. Previously, the highest number of teams participating was 15.

“We are excited,” Rogers said.

Teams can register up to the day of the event as long as the entry fee of $120 is paid.

Each team consists of no more than six players. Team members must be 18 years of age or older to compete.

If a team cancels, the entry fee is non-refundable. It will be considered a donation to the center.

The trivia game consists of 10 rounds.

There will be 10 trivia categories with 10 questions in each category.

Winners will receive prizes.

The first-place team will be awarded a plaque in addition to a cash prize of $500. Second- and third-place teams will receive a plaque.

Three live auction items will be given to the highest bidder.

Awards for the “best table decorations” and “best dressed team” will also be given.

The best table decorations plaque is named in honor of Riley. She loved to decorate everything, Rogers said.

The Best Dressed Team plaque is named in honor of Jim Evans. He was one of the center’s biggest supporters.

“They made a joke about it but it really wasn’t a joke,” Rogers said. “He would not get on the board of Chez Hope because if he did, he could not play trivia night.”

Evans played trivia night every year, Rogers said. He passed away unexpectedly last year in December.

Trivia night is one of the center’s yearly fundraisers.

The proceeds from trivia night will go towards the center’s general account funds. It will cover the expenses of any services and materials not covered under grant funding guidelines.

For instance, Chez Hope facilitates three school programs in the parish, which are: Hands are Not for Hitting, Bully Free and Teen Dating Violence. Participants don’t have to pay.

Printing costs of program materials are not covered by grants.

Also, residents live at Chez Hope for a period of six weeks. Food, doctor’s visits, and repairs to the apartments are not covered by grants.

Emcees for the evening are KQKI’s Brady Borel and KWBJ’s Danika Foley.

Food, soft drinks, beer and snacks will be available for purchase. Outside food and drinks are prohibited.

If more information is needed about the event, contact Chez Hope at 337-828-4200.